Propeller



(No Model.)

' J. J. WILLIAMS.

PROPELLBR. a

Patented Feb; 24; 1885.

WITNESSES: DTYENTOR:

huw S BY ATTORNEYS.

llNrrno STATES PA'reN'r @rrien.

JOHN JAY \VILLIAMS, OF POINT PLEASANT, MISSOURT.

PROPELLERL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Np. 312,781,dated February 24, 1885.

Application filed September 5, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J AY WILLIAMS, of Point Pleasant, in the countyof New Madrid and State of Missouri, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Propellers, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention is designed as an improvement upon endles-chain orflexible propellers in which the chain or chains that carry the bucketsare arranged to run over end and one or more intermediate wheels orpulleys to give a long horizontal or approximately horizontal stroke inthe water.

In my invention, however, I discard the use of endless chains, andsubstitute therefor a series of endless metal bands, and rivet orrigidly attach the buckets thereto, thus doing away with allworkingjoints and ad ding greatly to the durability and efficiency ofthe propeller. Combined with and attached to said bands also arepeculiarly constructed braces which, while not secured to the buckets,serve to support them when in action. Means arelikewise provided forraising and lowering the endless bands of buckets, to secure a properimmersion of the buckets in the water, and for keeping the bands at aproper stretch.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a propeller embodying myinvention, and Fig. 2 a partially sectional plan on the line w a: inFig. 1.

A A A indicate a series of parallel fiat metallic bands, steel orironpreferred, carried by and arranged to run round a corresponding numberof opposite end pulleys or wheels, B, and over an upper sprocket-wheel,O, of larger dimensions. This wheel G is the driver of the endlessbands, and extends wholly through or between them, as does also a lowersmall wheel or pulley, D, hung in an adjustable frame, E, and bearing onthe inner faces of the bands in their lower or parallel line of travel,which is designed to be horizontal, or approximately so. Said wheels 0andD may either be made the whole width adjustable horizontally byscrews d; or they 7 may be otherwise supported and adjusted to assist inkeeping the bands moderately taut, and to raise or lower them to adaptthe immersion of the buckets,as circumstances may require. The drivingwheel 0, however, should have a fixed bearing, and may be rotated by acrank and connecting-rod from the engineer motor, orin any othersuitable way, and the frame E, which supports it and the several parts,may be of any desired description.

G G indicate the buckets, made of metal, with their inner edges bent toform a flange by which to rivet or otherwise permanently secure them tothe outside faces of the bands A. Between these buckets, which arearranged at any suitable distance apart, and which extend wholly acrossthe bands, are arranged aseries of crooked or doubled armed braces, S,permanently secured by rivets or otherwise at their center 6 to theseveral bands, and formed in part of opposite end crossbars, f, whichserve to support the faces and backs of the buckets when in action; butwhich, not being attached to the buckets, provide for the necessaryflexibility of the endless bands of buckets when rounding the severalwheels which carry them. By this con struction of the propeller allloose or working joints, both in the endless devices which carry thebuckets and in the buckets themselves, are avoided, and the buckets arefirmly braced when in action, thus securing a very durable and efficientpropeller having a long stroke in the water.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In an endless flexible propeller, the combination,with the endless belts or bands and their buckets G, of the drive-wheelG, the two end wheels, B B, the pivoted rocking frame [2, within whichthe wheels B B are mounted, and the levers c for operating the same, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the fixed upper said wheels are afforded ahorizontal and drive-wheel, (7, adjustable end wheels, B 13, verticaladjustment, substantially as set forth. and the wheel D, mounted belowthe wheel 4. The endless belt or band A, buckets G,

O in an adjustable swinging frame, of the secured thereto, and thebraces S, secured at 1 5 band A and the buckets G thereon, substantheircenters e to the band, and engaging the tially as set forth. backs andfaces of the buckets, substantially 3. The combination, with the endlessbelt as set forth. and its buckets, of the end wheels, B B, rock- JOHNJAY WILLIAMS. frames Z), and set-screws d for adjusting the Witnesses::0 said rock-frames and wheels 13 B, carried R. E. L. XVILLIAMs,

thereby, in a horizontal direction, whereby V. H. BATSEL.

